Sam Smith cemented his status as the next big thing with an exquisite performance of new single “Stay With Me” on tonight’s (March 29) episode of Saturday Night Live. He belted out the ballad on a dimly lit stage with a little help from a church choir to bring the song’s gospel influence to life.

The London crooner sounded typically brilliant — squeezing his entire heart and soul into every note. He later returned and put on a vocal master class with “Lay Me Down” (watch after the jump). With much-anticipated debut LP In The Lonely Hour on the horizon, as well as features on Naughty Boy‘s breakthrough hit “La La La” and Disclosure‘s “Latch”, 2014 is shaping up to be the Brit’s year. Let Sam serenade you with “Stay With Me” up top.

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